Device for providing astrological entertainment and method thereof

ABSTRACT

There is provided an entertainment method of evaluating a degree of astrological attractiveness between a requesting player and one of a plurality of subject players. In one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the method includes storing sets of information corresponding respectively with astrological profiles of the plurality of subject players, and providing a set of information corresponding to an astrological profile of the requesting player. In operation, the set of information corresponding with the requesting player is compared to one of the sets of information of the plurality of subject players for determining the degree of astrological attractiveness between the requesting player and the one of the subject players. If the degree of astrological compatability between the requesting player and the one of the subject players exceeds a preselected threshold, personal information about the one of the subject players is provided to the requesting player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an astrological entertainmenttechnique and more particularly to a device and method for evaluatingeither a degree of astrological attractiveness between a requestingplayer and one of a plurality of subject players or a degree ofastrological compatibility between a first player and a second player.

2. Description of Related Art

In a modern, active society, in which extended families are theexception, rather than the rule, it is difficult for a person to meet,and become familiar with others of compatible personality type. Inessence, the mechanisms for meeting others of compatible personalitytype are insufficient. Moreover, even when two people start interactingon a relatively regular basis, it is often difficult for the two personsto determine if they are well suited for one another. One proposed wayof bringing couples together, for purposes of "dating" and, at the sametime, assessing their degree of compatibility and/or attractiveness toone another, is often accomplished by way of a service that matchespersonality types. This sort of matching service can be achieved in oneof a variety of ways.

In one common instance, a person ("requestor") visits a "dating service"and fills out a sheet, manually, to indicate the desired traits in aprospective mate ("match person"). In response to filling out the sheet,the service provides the requestor with a list of one or more personswho have one or more traits matching the traits indicated by the person(i.e. a list of prospective match persons). To assess which person wouldbe a suitable mate, the requestor designates one or more names of thelist and is provided with selected information regarding that person.Such information may vary from a photograph, accompanied by selecteddata regarding the match person(s), to a video for obtaining a dynamicdemonstration of the match person(s).

There are, of course various problems with the above-described approach.In a first case, a requestor may not be competent to assess his/her owntraits. Accordingly, the requestor may end up being matched with aperson who is quite different, in personality, than himself/herself. Ina second case, the terms used by the requestor, to describe himself orherself, may be quite ambiguous. As should be appreciated words can besubjective, and the requester may not be able to describehimself/herself adequately. Accordingly, the same problem that may arisein the first-mentioned case may arise in this second-mentioned case. Inmany instances, the approach of the dating service may not be any betterthan the conventional technique of random choice.

In a variation of the above-described approach, a requestor fills out aquestionnaire which provides, based on certain selected criteria, anindication of the requestor's personality. To obtain such indication ananalysis is employed, the analysis being performed manually orautomatically by, for example, a computer. As is known, thesophistication of the questionnaire, and the accuracy of the resultinganalysis, can vary widely. In one instance the entire process yieldscrude, if not silly, results because the criteria employed and/or theanalysis applied is deficient.

One criteria that has proven efficacious in assessing compatibility ofpersonality types and/or matching couples, for purposes of dating,employs astrological parameters. Using astrological parameters for thispurpose is well accepted, on a widespread basis, in such places as Indiaand China. In one known technique of using astrological parameters, acouple provides personal data (e.g. date of birth, time of birth andplace of birth) to one who is familiar with applying astrologicalparameters to matters of the heart (i.e. an astrological consultant). Ina more sophisticated approach, software is employed, by the astrologicalconsultant, to provide the couple with a score indicating thecompatibility of the couple. In some instances, the astrologicalconsultant may even provide the couple with advice.

An example of software suitable for providing a couple with the type ofresults indicated above includes an application known as "Friends andLovers" developed by Matrix Software. As will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, the Friends and Lovers application may be used tomatch the astrological attributes of a requestor with the astrologicalattributes of a selected one of a plurality of persons.

For private use, the Friends and Lovers application is well suited forbringing persons together and assessing their compatibility and/orattractiveness; however the availability of such application is limitedbecause, for those who do not have access to such software, their is nocomputer based service that a user can access readily by way of acommunications channel or network. Essentially, the lack of networksophistication, in the use of any of the above-described techniques,limits their availability on a widespread basis. Additionally, thesecurity of a consulting approach employing Friends and Lovers, or anyof the above-mentioned techniques, is typically flawed. Moreparticularly, persons consulting a dating service would rather interactwith a computer, where their identity is maintained in selectiveconfidence, rather than with a human consultant who knows that thepersons are seeking companionship actively. It would be desirable toprovide a computerized astrological consulting service, for assessingcompatibility between a couple and/or matching persons, that is readilyaccessible, on a widespread basis, and possesses a high degree ofsecurity for its users.

The present invention employs network capability to achieve variousadvantageous ends. The following discussion is intended to provide abackground for any appropriate network implementation required by thedisclosed embodiment below:

Examples of some recent patents relating to network environments ofplural remote terminal shared users of networked printers include XeroxCorporation U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,243,518, 5,226,112, 5,170,340 and5,287,194. Some patents on this subject by others include U.S. Pat. Nos.5,113,355, 5,113,494 (originally filed Feb. 27, 1987), 5,181,162,5,220,674, 5,247,670; 4,953,080 and 4,821,107. Further by way ofbackground, some of the following Xerox Corporation U.S. patents alsoinclude examples of networked systems with printers: U.S. Pat. Nos.5,153,577; 5,113,517; 5,072,412; 5,065,347; 5,008,853; 4,947,345;4,939,507; 4,937,036; 4,920,481; 4,914,586; 4,899,136; 4,453,128;4,063,220; 4,099,024; 3,958,088; 3,920,895; and 3,597,071. Also notedare IBM Corp. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,651,278 and 4,623,244, and Canon U.S.Pat. No. 4,760,458 and Jap. Pub. No.59-63872 published Nov. 4, 1984.Some of these various above patents also disclose multi-functional orintegral machines digital scanner/faximile/printer/copiers! and theircontrols.

Some other network system related publications include "Xerox OfficeSystems Technology" "..Xerox 8000 Series Products: Workstations,Services, Ethernet, and Software Development" ©1982, 1984 by XeroxCorporation, OSD-R8203A, Ed. T. Linden and E. Harslem, with a "Table ofContents" citing its numerous prior publications sources, and anAbstract noting the April 1981 announcement of "the 8110 StarInformations System, A New Personal Computer.."; "Xerox SystemIntegration Standard Printing Protocol XSIS 118404", April 1984; "XeroxIntegrated Production Publishers Solutions:.." Booklet No. "610P50807""11/85"; "Printing Protocol-Xerox System Integration Standard" ©1990 byXerox Corporation, XNSS 119005 May 1990; "Xerox Network SystemsArchitecture", "General Information Manual", XNSG 068504 April 1985,with an extensive annotated bibliography, ©1985 by Xerox® Corporation;"Interpress: The Source Book", Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, N.Y.,1988, by Harrington, S. J. and Buckley, R. R.; Adobe SystemsIncorporated "PostScript® Language Reference Manual", Addison-WesleyCo., 1990; "Mastering Novell® Netware®", 1990, SYBEX, Inc., Alameda,Calif., by Cheryl E. Currid and Craig A. Gillett; "Palladium PrintSystem" ©MIT 1984, et sec; "Athena85" "Computing in Higher Education:The Athena Experience", E. Balkovich, et al, Communications of the ACM,28(11) pp. 1214-1224, November, 1985; and "Apollo87" "The NetworkComputing Architecture and System: An Environment for DevelopingDistributed Applications", T. H. Dineen, et al, Usenix ConferenceProceedings, June 1987.

Noted regarding commercial network systems with printers and softwaretherefor is the 1992 Xerox® Corporation "Network Publisher" version ofthe 1990 "DocuTech®" publishing system, including the "Network Server"to customer's Novell® 3.11 networks, supporting various differentnetwork protocols and "Ethernet"; and the Interpress Electronic PrintingStandard, Version 3.0, Xerox System Integration Standard XNSS 048601(January 1986). Also, the much earlier Xerox® Corporation "9700Electronic printing System"; the "VP Local Laser Printing" softwareapplication package, which, together with the Xerox® "4045" or otherLaser Copier/Printer, the "6085" "Professional Computer System" usingXerox Corporation "ViewPoint" or "GlobalView®" software and a "localprinter print service! Option" kit, comprises the "Documenter" system.The even earlier Xerox® Corporation "8000" "Xerox Network ServicesProduct Descriptions" further describe other earlier Xerox® Corporationelectronic document printing systems. Eastman Kodak "LionHeart™"systems, first announced Sep. 13, 1990, are also noted. Current popularcommercial published "systems software" including LAN workstationconnections includes Novell® DOS 7.0, "Windows™" NT 3.1, and IBM OS/2Version 2.1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided anastrological entertainment method of evaluating a degree of astrologicalattractiveness between a requesting player and one of a plurality ofsubject players, comprising: a) storing sets of informationcorresponding respectively with astrological profiles of the pluralityof subject players, each of the sets of information including personalinformation regarding one of the plurality of subject players; b)providing a set of information corresponding to an astrological profileof the requesting player; c) electronically comparing the set ofinformation corresponding with the requesting player to one of the setsof information of the plurality of subject players for determining thedegree of astrological attractiveness between the requesting player andthe one of the subject players; and d) if the degree of astrologicalcompatability between the requesting player and the one of the subjectplayers exceeds a preselected threshold, transmitting the personalinformation of the one of the subject players to the requesting player.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided anastrological entertainment method of evaluating a degree of astrologicalcompatibility between a first player and a second player, comprising: a)storing a set of information corresponding with an astrological profileof the first player; b) providing a set of information correspondingwith an astrological profile of the second player; c) electronicallycomparing the set of information corresponding with the astrologicalprofile of the first player to the set of information corresponding withthe astrological profile of the second player to obtain an astrologicalcompatibility score; d) normalizing the astrological compatibility scoreon the basis of a reference score, the reference score being based on ascore received by two players having an ideal predetermined astrologicalrelationship; and e) transmitting the astrological compatibility score,normalized in accordance with said d), to at least one of the first andsecond players for providing a reflection of the degree to which thefirst and players are astrologically compatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic, elevational view of a device for evaluating adegree of astrological attractiveness and/or astrological compatibilitybetween two players;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an astrological consulting server shown inconjunction with various input/output devices, the astrologicalconsulting server being used to implement the method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a software configuration used in theastrological consulting server of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 is a flow chart of a routine used to develop a file for use inassessing an astrological match between two persons;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a routine used to 1) obtain an astrologicalmatch between a requestor and a selected person in a database, and 2)assess the degree of astrological compatibility and/or attractivenessbetween two persons;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a routine used to facilitate the transmissionof a set of results obtained through employment of the routine of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a routine used to develop a file for assessinga degree of astrological compatibility and/or attractiveness between twopersons; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a routine used to facilitate the transmissionof a set of results obtained through employment of the routine of FIG.4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

1. The System

While the present invention will hereinafter be described in connectionwith a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it isnot intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary,it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalentsas may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a simplified astrological entertainment system forevaluating a degree of astrological attractiveness and/or astrologicalcompatibility between two players is designated by the numeral 2. Theastrological entertainment system 2 includes a dedicated processing unit4 interfaced with a suitable input device 6. As will appear,astrological entertainment system 2 further includes a server tofacilitate the above-mentioned evaluation. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 1A, data input, which would preferably include input of birthdata, is achieved with a ten-key pad 8 of input device 6. As discussedbelow, in the preferred embodiment,.input is achieved with a networkeddevice, such as a telephone, and the unit 4 includes all of thenecessary hardware and software required to perform the above-mentionedevaluation.

To more fully comprehend the implementation of the disclosed, preferredembodiment, reference is made to FIG. 1B. More particularly, as shown inFIG. 1B, an astrological consulting server ("server") is designated bythe number 10, the server 10 communicating with various Input/Output("I/O") components by way of a network ("NET") arrangement 12 and alocal device arrangement 14. In one example, the server 10 is a personalcomputer ("PC"), such as an IBM Compatible PC which employs a DOSoperating system, such as MS-DOS. The PC of the server 10 includesvarious memory, I/O, data transfer and processing components. Each ofthe various components communicate with one another by way of aconventional 32 bit bus, designated by the numeral 16.

The "heart" of the server resides in a processing arrangement,designated by the numeral 18, which arrangement functions,conjunctively, with one or more clocks, designated by the numeral 19. Inthe preferred embodiment, the server exploits two processing units: witha first unit comprising a coupled pair of 486 microprocessors andfunctioning as a single 486 microprocessor with a clock speed of 66 MHz,and with a second unit having a slave coprocessor operating in parallelwith the first unit to provide arithmetic capabilities, i.e. "numbercrunching". As is known by those skilled in the art, the processingarrangement 18 is responsible for control of the various memory, datatransfer and I/O components of the server.

The server 10 includes various memory components: First detachablememory 20 (e.g. floppy) is coupled with the bus 16 by way of a suitableinterface 22. As is known, the floppy disk can be used to introducevarious application programs and/or any necessary data to the server.Second, read only memory ("ROM") 24 is coupled with the bus 16 and, inone example provides control instructions for operation of the server10. Such control instructions may include, among others, directives forcontrolling booting up of the server. Third, dynamic random accessmemory ("DRAM") 26 is employed to store a significant amount of code anddata required to enable the operation of consulting routines of thepreferred embodiment. The DRAM employs several banks of SIMMs to achievea preferred memory capacity of 16 MB. Finally, a hard disk drive device("Disk") 28, employing multiple platters and multiple read/write heads,is coupled with the bus 16, in one example, with a buffer (FIFO) 30 anddirect memory access ("DMA") 32. As is known, the DMA allows movement ofdata, throughout the server, without constant intervention of theprocessor 18. As will be discussed in further detail below, the disk 28is responsible for maintaining the operating system and a database. Itwill be appreciated that in the preferred system, the disk exploits SCSIcontrol.

Local interaction with the server 10 is accomplished by means of a userinterface ("UI") 34, which may include, among other components, akeyboard and a CRT. Through use of the UI, a server operator is able totransmit commands to and receive information from the various componentsof the server. The UI 34 is coupled with the bus 16 by way of a suitableinterface 36. As discussed in further detail below, the server employssoftware manufactured by MicroSoft® Corp. under the trademark ofWindows® 3.1. To facilitate the use of such software, the UI includes acursor system which preferably includes a mouse and corresponding pad.

While the server 10 is shown as including a specified suite of memory,I/O, data transfer and processing components, it will be appreciatedthat various circuit boards could be added to the server to enhancefunctional capability without affecting the concept upon which thedisclosed embodiment is based. For example, the memory capability of theserver 10 could be enhanced by the addition of a CD-ROM device.Moreover, voice recognizing hardware/software could be added to receivedata via a telephone, the telephone, as discussed in further detailbelow, being associated with the network arrangement 12 or the devicearrangement 14.

The server 10 is coupled with the network arrangement 12 and the localdevice arrangement 14 by way of a network interface 40 and a deviceinterface 42. In one example the server communicates selectively withthe arrangements 12, 14 by way of a suitable multiplexing arrangement44. The network interface 40 includes all of the hardware and softwarenecessary to relate the hardware/software components of the server 10with the hardware/software components of the network arrangement 12. Forinstance, to interface various protocols between the server and thenetwork arrangement, the network interface could be provided withNetware® from Novell® Corp. Additionally, to facilitate communicationfrom both telecommunications and Facsimile ("FAX") sources, the networkinterface is preferably provided with dedicated hardware from New VoiceInc., designated by the serial number "NV800". The NV800, which includesa dedicated processor, serving to implement a modem capability, is amultiplexing type device, i.e. a PBX adapted device, for facilitatingthe linking of multiple (e.g. 8) FAX/voice based lines to the server 10.More particularly, the NV800 permits multiple users to access and usethe server 10 in a multiplexed fashion. As discussed in further detailbelow, the New Voice system is used in conjunction with dedicatedsoftware referred to as "DAX" and manufactured by Ram Research.

In the network arrangement 12, various I/O and storage devices areinterconnected with a bus 46. In particular, the devices include, amongothers the following: I/O Apparatus 48, Print Service 50, Scan Service52 and FAX server 54. In the present example the I/O Apparatus 48includes a telephone and/or a workstation, such as any suitable PCcompatible apparatus. In this example, the telephone is digitally basedso that no interface, such as a modem is required; however, in otherexamples the telephone would employ a suitable telecommunicationsinterface without affecting the operation of the currently disclosedembodiment. Additionally, the Print Service 50 includes any suitableprint service manufactured by Xerox Corporation, such as the "9700 PrintService". As is known, the 9700 Print Service includes a processor,storage section and 9700 printer which, in conjunction, permit bothprinting and storage to be performed remotely of the server 10. Inparticular, files from the server 10 can be archived at the PrintService 50. Additionally, the Scan Service preferably includes aworkstation and a scanner, provided in the form of a package. This sortof package is made available by Xerox Corporation in the form of a WG40scanner coupled with a 6085 workstation. It will be appreciated that theScan Service is preferably provided with Optical Character Recognition("OCR") capability so that the user of the server 10 can scan hard-copy,including personal data, to the Scan Service for use by the server 10.Finally, the FAX Service 54 assumes the form of any suitable networkedFAX device, such as the LAN FAX Service manufactured by XeroxCorporation under the 7032 series.

In the local device arrangement 14, I/O and storage devices arepreferably interfaced with the server 10 by way of a suitable deviceinterface 42. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, thehardware/software suite of the local device interface will varyaccording to the devices employed and the necessary hardware/softwarecomponents required to implement the device interface will varyaccording the specifications of the devices employed. The various I/Odevices of the arrangement 14 can be provided separately or, as shown inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1B, in the form of a singlemulti-functional apparatus 55, such as a multi-functional digital copiermanufactured by Canon Corp., in the form of a LAN capable GP55, or a3010 multi-functional digital copier manufactured by Fuji-Xerox Corp. Inany event, the local devices preferably include, as a minimum, atelephone, a scanner, a printer and a FAX device. As with the ScanService discussed above, the scanner is provided with OCR capability sothat personal data can be read from hardcopy for use by the server 10.

2. Method of Operation

a. System Software

Referring to FIG. 2, the major software components employed in thedisclosed embodiment are designated in schematic form. A facility,including DAX software (mentioned above), which, in conjunction withNV800 hardware, permits connection of multiple lines with the server 10,and "Professional Development System" ("PDS") software manufactured byMicroSoft®, Inc., "floats" on an operating system, such as MS-DOS. Thesemajor software components are distributed across both volatile andnonvolatile memory in the server 10. The above-mentioned software isused to implement a method which can be performed in one of a first modeand a second mode. In the first mode of operation, the method isdirected toward a technique for obtaining an astrological match betweena requestor (caller) and a selected one of a plurality of persons whoserespective astrological profiles (respective sets of astrological data)are stored in a database (FIG. 1B). In the second mode of operation, themethod is directed toward a technique for assessing a degree ofastrological compatibility and/or attractiveness between a first personx(1) and a second person x(2).

b. First Mode of Operation

Referring generally to FIGS. 3-5, a discussion of the first mode ofoperation is provided. In particular, at step 60 (FIG. 3), it is decidedwhether input to the server 10, which may have its source in, amongothers, a telephone, a FAX apparatus or a scanner with OCR, is intendedto be processed in mode 1 or mode 2. Step 60 can be implemented throughuse of DAX which queries the caller or requestor, to obtain informationover the network. While it will be understood that the input can emanatefrom a wide variety of sources, in the following discussion of both thefirst mode of operation and the second mode of operation, it will beassumed that the input is from a telephone. This does not imply that thedisclosed method is not equally appropriate for use with input otherthan voice-related input.

Assuming that the requestor intends to use the first mode, the incomingcall is received at step 62 and DAX is employed, at step 64, ifnecessary, to obtain selected astrological related data("PersonalData"), such as age, sex, sexual preference, date of birth,time of birth and place of birth, of the requestor--the data relating todate of birth, time of birth and place of birth will hereinafter berelated to as "birth-related data". If the PersonalData for therequester has been obtained previously, then the process proceeds to aroutine (FIG. 4) which, among other functions, obtains an astrologicalmatch between the requester and a selected one of a plurality of personswhose respective astrological profiles are stored in a database (FIG.1B). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, PersonalDatacan be obtained and stored for later use with software similar to thatused by Mead Data Corp. in their Lexis®/Nexis® database software.

If the PersonalData for the requestor has not been obtained, then step66 is initiated. Most of PersonalData, except for data related to placeof birth, can be obtained readily through use of keys on the telephone.It has been found that a preferred approach for obtaining place of birthis to direct the requestor to enter the zip code or telephone area codecorresponding to his/her place of birth. In response to obtainingPersonalData from the requestor, the data is formatted (step 68) with areference, such as a pointer. That is, the PersonalData for therequester is placed in a file, such as an ASCII file, with the pointer,and, via step 70, stored out to memory. The pointer is used to indicatethe beginning of the file and an indication, designating the length ofthe file, is also provided.

Referring to FIG. 4, to obtain the above-mentioned match, the formattedfile is read from memory (step 74) and since the operation is in thefirst mode, the process proceeds through step 76 to step 78 where thePersonalData of the requestor is processed with predevelopedastronomic-based formulae ("formulae") It should be noted that eachformatted includes an indication (e.g. toggled bit) providing the systemwith knowledge regarding which mode of operation is being employed. Theformulae employ a conceptual framework based on, among otherconcepts, 1) the ecliptic position of the sun, moon, mercury, venus,mars, jupiter, saturn uranus, ascendant midheaven and north node, and 2)the right ascension of sun, moon, mercury, venus, mars, jupiter, saturnuranus, ascendant midheaven and north node. Further details regardingthe manner in which suitable formulae are developed is discussed in thefollowing references, the pertinent portions of which are incorporatedherein by reference:

Sargent, L. "How to Handle Your Human Relations" American Federation ofAstrologers 1970 (2d ed.) Meeus, J. "Astronomical Formulae forCalculators" Willmann-Bell, Inc. 1988 (4th ed.) Hand, R. "Planets inComposite" Para-Research, Inc. 1975 Holden, R. "The Elements of HouseDivision" Fowler & Co., Ltd. 1977

After developing a set of astrological data for the requester, an entry(X(i)), including astrological data for a given person X(i), whosepertinent astrological data has been developed and stored previously, isobtained. A signal, indicating the correlatibility of the two sets ofdata, is preferably developed through use of a selected correlationfunction of the type used to correlate electronic signals. In thepreferred embodiment, the selected correlation function is derivedempirically and implemented logically in the server 10. For ease of datahandling, the correlation signal is converted into a score (step 84) andstored in memory. Through use of the above-described correlationtechnique and decision step 88, the astrological data of the requesteris correlated individually with each entry in the database.

In the preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned correlation is achievedwith a set of formulae, which formulae are shown, as code, in anattached appendix. The formulae employ multiple indicators, theindicators being considered in determining a relationship between a setof significant points in a first chart and a set of significant set ofpoints in a second chart. In one example each chart includes up to 40points. Referring specifically to the attached code, an empiricalapproach is used to evaluate both astrological attractiveness (pp. 1-6)and astrological compatibility (pp. 6-18).

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the formulae areiterative and thus accomodate for the influence of each indicator. Thatis, the formulae are sensitive to variations resulting from eachindicator. Essentially, the formulae permit not only consideration ofall of the indicators as a whole, but the effect of various subsets ofindicators on a resulting score. This permits dynamic weighting for thecorrelation process. As will be further recognized, the formulae areprovided with several coefficients which allow for implemention of andadjustment in the dynamic weighting.

A selected number of the top scores (i.e. Y scores) are then selected(step 90) and those scores are formatted, via step 92, into a file asoutput data. In the preferred embodiment, recordings of various persons,whose astrological data is maintained in the database, are maintained inthe disk 28 of FIG. 1B. Additionally, pointers are provided in theformatted file to correspond the Y scores their respective recordings.Accordingly, one or more of these recordings can be played for therequester. At step 94, the output data of the formatted file is writtento memory and, at step 96, since the operation is in the first mode, theprocess continues to step 100(FIG. 5).

Referring to FIG. 5, at step 100, the requestor is provided anopportunity to review the results by listening to one or more recordingsstored in disk. The recording(s) is played back over the telephone, tothe requestor, through aid of the NV800 board and the DAX software. Ifthe requestor wishes to review one or more of the recordings, then theprocess proceeds to step 102, otherwise, at step 104, an entry,designated by the requestor, is retrieved from the database. Asprogrammed, with DAX, the requester is then put on hold (step 106), andthe person corresponding to the entry ("match person") is then called.If the match person is not available (steps 108 and 110) then theprocess loops back to step 100, provided more match entries areavailable in the database. Assuming the match person is available, thena recording of the requestor, developed from the PersonalData providedby the requestor, is played, at step 112, for the "match person" on theother side of the line.

As should be appreciated, placing the requestor on hold and querying thematch person, in private, protects the privacy of the match person.Consequently, as should be apparent from step 114, if the match personfeels uncomfortable about speaking with the requestor, for any reason,then a conversation between the requester and the match person neednever take place. One of the purposes of the first mode technique is tomatch couples, and if a person of the database refuses to speak with aprospective requestor then he/she is informed, via step 116, thatpersistent refusal to participate will not be accepted. Additionally, atstep 116, the requestor is told that the match person does not wish tospeak to him or her. In response to step 116, the link is ended (step118), by use of DAX, and the process continues at step 110. If the matchperson indicates that he or she will accept the call (step 114), then alink is developed, via step 120, between the requestor and the person.Once the communication between the requester and the match person iscomplete (step 122), the process continues at step 110. Once attemptshave been made to contact all of the match persons (step 110), the firstmode of operation ends.

c. Second Mode of Operation

Referring generally to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the second mode of operation isdiscussed in detail. In particular, it is determined, at step 126,whether PersonalData(1) corresponding with an incoming caller (i.e. aperson x(1)) has already been retrieved from memory. It should berecognized that the PersonalData(1) may have already been entered intothe database (FIG. 1B). The type of data contemplated forPersonalData(1) (and PersonalData(2)) is the same as that contemplatedfor the PersonalData of the first mode of operation. If PersonalData(1)has already been retrieved, then the process proceeds to step 132,otherwise the PersonalData(1) is retrieved, through use of thetelephone, NV800 board and DAX software (step 128) and placed in a form(step 130) similar to that discussed above for the first mode ofoperation. After the PersonalData(1) has been collected, thePersonalData(2) for person x(2) is retrieved (step 132) and placed in aform (step 134) similar to that of PersonalData(2). Referring to step136, once the files for PersonalData(1) and PersonalData(2) arecompiled, a joint file, being written in ASCII and having an appropriatepointer and file size indication, is developed. This joint file is then,via step 138, written to memory and the process proceeds to step 74 and76, of FIG. 4, where the joint file is read from memory and the processis directed to step 142.

At step 142, astrological data is developed for person x(1) and personx(2) by processing the birth-related data of PersonalData(1) andPersonalData(2) with the above-mentioned astronomically-based formulae.The signal sets corresponding to the respective astrological data arethen, at step 144, correlated with the above-mentioned, empiricallyformulated correlation function. Based on the correlation of step 144,astrological correlation data is developed at step 146. Preferably, theastrological correlation data includes an absolute score which will varyin accordance with the compatibility and/or attractiveness betweenperson x(1) and person x(2). In practice, that score is divided by anidealized/reference score (step 148) to obtain a normalizedcompatibility/attraction rating ("rating"). It will be appreciated thatthe idealized/reference score corresponds with that obtained by a couplewhich is particularly well suited for one another, in an astrologicalsense.

At step 150, "major themes", pertinent to the perceived astrologicalrelationship of person x(1) and person x(2) is determined by referenceto the astrological correlation data. To understand the manner in whichsuch themes are developed, further discussion, regarding the correlationtechnique, is required. Preferably, the correlatibility of the set ofastrological data for the first person and the set of astrological datafor the second person is the sum of a plurality of subcorrelations, witheach subcorrelation corresponding to the degree to which a selected datatype of the set of astrological data for the first person (e.g. sunsextile sun) correlates to the comparable data type of the set ofastrological data for the second person. Each subcorrelation has aweighted score, the weighted score pertaining specifically to thecorrelatibility for a particular data type. To obtain major themes, aselected number of the highest weighted scores are selected and thethemes that pertain to the corresponding data types are noted. Inpractice, a large variety of advice recordings, relating to each of thedata types is stored in disk. In step 152, the recordings for the noteddata types are designated and, at step 92, the file is formatted bymapping the rating to the advice recordings. The formatted file is thenwritten to memory as output data (step 94) and, via step 96, the processproceeds to the illustrated technique of FIG. 7.

At step 156, of FIG. 7, the output data is retrieved from memory (step156) and the rating is transmitted (step 158) to an incoming caller(e.g. person x(1)). It is then determined, at step 160, whether thecaller desires to hear the advice recordings. If he/she so desires, therecordings are played with DAX, from disk (step 162), otherwise thesystem ascertains, at step 164, whether any further rating/analysis isdesired by the incoming caller. The step 164 either directs the callerto the beginning of second mode operation (FIG. 6) or ends any furthercommunication.

Numerous features of the above-disclosed embodiment will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art: One feature of the disclosed embodiment isthat it provides a wide range of astrological services in a singlepackage. In one instance, pertinent data is gathered efficiently by wayof several types of input devices. In another instance, two elaborateastrologically-based consulting services are made available for "rating"a relationship or matching a couple. The power and capability of theastrological consulting server, with its attendant hardware andsoftware, permits the multiple elaborate services to be offered in thesingle package. In yet another instance, results from either consultingservice can be transmitted readily from the server to one or morepersons.

Another feature of the disclosed embodiment is that it provides animproved technique of astrological evaluation. More particularly, a fullrange of astronomical parameters are employed in each of therating/matching services so that relatively accurate results areobtained.

Yet another feature of the disclosed embodiment is that it can be madeavailable to a large group of users over an extensive geographicalregion. In particular, through use of multiple inputs, many people canaccess the server at one time. Moreover, with a PBX adapted arrangement,the many users can access the server in a multiplexed fashion. Finally,since the server is coupled with a network, people from all over theworld can call in to the server and avail themselves of therating/matching services.

Yet another feature of the disclosed embodiment is that it permitsinformation to be transmitted to the users on multiple levels. In oneexample, a user can obtain results through one of a plurality of I/Odevices and, in another example, the results can be stored, at alocation remote from the server, for retrieval at a later time. It isparticularly advantageous that a full range of recordings, includingadvice based on results, can be stored in mass memory (e.g. disk) foruse in providing users with detailed explanations, if desired, regardingtheir results.

Another feature of the disclosed embodiment is that users of thematching service can be assured that their privacy will be maintained atall times. That is a matched couple will communicate with one anotheronly when a selected condition is met. Preferably, such selectedcondition constitutes an approval by both parties, of the couple, tosuch communication. ##SPC1##

What is claimed is:
 1. Astrological entertainment method of evaluating adegree of astrological attractiveness between a requesting player andone of a plurality of subject players, comprising:a) storing sets ofinformation corresponding respectively with astrological profiles of theplurality of subject players, each of the sets of information includingpersonal information regarding one of the plurality of subject players;b) inputting a set of information corresponding to an astrologicalprofile of the requesting player to a processing apparatus via atelecommunications system, with the astrological profile of therequesting player including birth data of the requesting player, whereinsaid inputting includes inputting a number, with the telecommunicationssystem, to designate a place of birth for the birth data of theastrological profile of the requesting player and the number correspondsto a selected one of a zip code and a telephone area code; c)electronically comparing the set of information corresponding with therequesting player to one of the sets of information of the plurality ofsubject players for determining the degree of astrologicalattractiveness between the requesting player and the one of the subjectplayers; and d) if the degree of astrological compatability between therequesting player and the one of the subject players exceeds apreselected threshold, transmitting the personal information of the oneof the subject players to the requesting player.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein said b) includes providing the set of informationcorresponding to an astrological profile of the requesting player by wayof a rasterizing apparatus.
 3. Astrological entertainment method ofevaluating a degree of astrological attractiveness between a requestingplayer and one of a plurality of subject players, comprising:a) storingsets of information corresponding respectively with astrologicalprofiles of the plurality of subject players, each of the sets ofinformation including personal information regarding one of theplurality of subject players; b) providing a set of informationcorresponding to an astrological profile of the requesting player; c)electronically comparing the set of information corresponding with therequesting player to one of the sets of information of the plurality ofsubject players for determining the degree of astrologicalattractiveness between the requesting player and the one of the subjectplayers; and d) if the degree of astrological compatability between therequesting player and the one of the subject players exceeds apreselected threshold, transmitting the personal information of the oneof the subject players to the requesting player, wherein the preselectedthreshold is exceeded and said d) includes,1) electronically indicating,to the first one of the subject players that the requesting playerdesires to communicate with him/her, and 2) electronically linking therequesting player with the first one of the subject players, by way of acommunication link, when the first one of the subject players approves,in advance, of the electronic linking.
 4. Astrological entertainmentmethod of evaluating a degree of astrological attractiveness between arequesting player and one of a plurality of subject players,comprising:a) storing sets of information corresponding respectivelywith astrological profiles of the plurality of subject players each ofthe sets of information including personal information regarding one ofthe plurality of subject players; b) providing a set of informationcorresponding to an astrological profile of the requesting player; c)electronically comparing the set of information corresponding with therequesting player to one of the sets of information of the plurality ofsubject players for determining the degree of astrologicalattractiveness between the requesting player and the one of the subjectplayers wherein the astrological profiles of the subject players arestored sequentially in a database and said c) comprises,1) accessing thedatabase and selecting a first one of the astrological profiles, 2)correlating the set of information representative of the requestingplayer with a currently selected set of information representative ofthe first one of the astrological profiles, 3) based on the correlatingof said 2), generating a score, 4) buffering the score generated in said3), 5) accessing the database and selecting a next one of theastrological profiles, and 6) repeating said 2)-5) for a selected numberof astrological profiles stored in the database; and d) if the degree ofastrological compatability between the requesting player and the one ofthe subject players exceeds a preselected threshold, transmitting thepersonal information of the one of the subject players to the requestingplayer.
 5. The method of claim 4, in which the degree of astrologicalcompatibility varies directly as a function of the score and thepreselected threshold corresponds to a reference score, wherein said d)includes transmitting any buffered score that exceeds the referencescore.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein said 2) includes correlatingthe sets of information by reference to a preselected, set ofastrological data varying as a function of either an ecliptic positionof astronomic bodies, a right ascension of the astronomic bodies or aposition of the astronomic bodies.
 7. Astrological entertainment methodfor evaluating a degree of astrological compatibility between a firstplayer and a second player, comprising:a) storing a set of informationcorresponding with an astrological profile of the first player; b)providing a set of information corresponding with an astrologicalprofile of the second player; c) electronically comparing the set ofinformation corresponding with the astrological profile of the firstplayer to the set of information corresponding with the astrologicalprofile of the second player to obtain an astrological compatibilityscore; d) normalizing the astrological compatibility score on the basisof a reference score, the reference score being based on a scorereceived by two players having an ideal predetermined astrologicalrelationship; e) transmitting the astrological compatibility score,normalized in accordance with said d), to at least one of the first andsecond players for providing a reflection of the degree to which thefirst and players are astrologically compatibles; f) providing a libraryof prerecorded messages, each message being mapped to an associatedscore and including information deemed suitable for two playersreceiving the associated score; g) electronically corresponding theastrological compatibility score, normalized in accordance with said d),with one of the scores provided in said f) to obtain one of theprerecored messages; and h) transmitting the prerecored message obtainedin said g) to the at least one of the first and second players of saide).
 8. Astrological entertainment method of evaluating a degree ofastrological compatibility between a first player and a second player,comprising:a) storing a set of information corresponding with anastrological profile of the first player; b) inputting a set ofinformation corresponding to an astrological profile of the secondplayer by way of a telecommunications device, wherein the astrologicalprofile of the second player includes birth data of the second playerand said inputting includes inputting a number, with the telephone, todesignate a place of birth for the birth data of the astrologicalprofile of the second player and the number corresponds to a selectedone of a zip code and a telephone area code; c) electronically comparingthe set of information corresponding with the astrological profile ofthe first player to the set of information corresponding with theastrological profile of the second player to obtain an astrologicalcompatibility score; d) normalizing the astrological compatibility scoreon the basis of a reference score, the reference score being based on ascore received by two players having an ideal predetermined astrologicalrelationship; and e) transmitting the astrological compatibility score,normalized in accordance with said d), to at least one of the first andsecond players for providing a reflection of the degree to which thefirst and players are astrologically compatible.
 9. The method of claim7, wherein said b) includes providing the set of informationcorresponding to an astrological profile of the second player by way ofa rasterizing apparatus.
 10. Astrological entertainment method ofevaluating a degree of astrological compatibility between a first playerand a second player, comprising:a) storing a set of informationcorresponding with an astrological profile of the first player; b)providing a set of information corresponding with an astrologicalprofile of the second player; c) electronically comparing the set ofinformation corresponding with the astrological profile of the firstplayer to the set of information corresponding with the astrologicalprofile of the second player to obtain an astrological compatibilityscore, wherein said c) includes controlling said comparing by referenceto a preselected set of astrological data varying as a function ofeither an ecliptic position of astronomic bodies, a right ascension ofthe astronomic bodies or a position of the astronomic bodies; d)normalizing the astrological compatibility score on the basis of areference score, the reference score being based on a score received bytwo players having an ideal predetermined astrological relationship; ande) transmitting the astrological compatibility score, normalized inaccordance with said d), to at least one of the first and second playersfor providing a reflection of the degree to which the first and playersare astrologically compatible.
 11. The method of claim 3, wherein saidb) includes inputting the set of information corresponding to anastrological profile of the second player by way of a rasterizingapparatus.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein said b) includes providingthe set of information corresponding to an astrological profile of thesecond player by way of a rasterizing apparatus.